Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-12-01
THE POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT.
VIZ. Wins Hopeful OF a Surplus Instead
OF n Deficiency Next Year.

VIZ. Wins Hopeful OF a Surplus Instead
OF n Deficiency Next Year.
SUGGESTIONS MADE IN THE PosrMAsTER-GESERAI,s
ANNUAL REPORT-A PLAN TO ERECT PosT-oFFICE
BUILDISGS-THE PURCHASE OF POSTAL CARs-THE
WASHINGTON CITY Posr-oFFIcE.
The annual report OF PostmasterGeneralv Villas
states that II the revenues be not further crippled
and the rate OF increase OF last year be maintained
the next fiscal year will show a surplus instead OF
deficiency. The time is probably not distant
when. II the wiSest measures OF economy be pur-
sued, the rate OF charge upon letters can be prop
eriy lowered to cent an ounce and some dimin-
ishment permitted in the hostages upon merchan-
disc and other matter The attention OF Congress
Is recommended TO the subject Of the proper COM
pensation OF postmasters. Two points are men,
toned The one is, that box-rents should be
taken up as part OF the revenue of the Govern
ment and brought under the control OF Depar..
ment regulations In substitution for the present
system, which makes this feature practically the
personal business Of the postmaster. The other
point OF desirable improvement is the application
OF the commission scale by allowance OF specific
sums OF compensation out OF specific sums OF the
cancellations and collections on which the CON-
mission Is gradua ed, instead of various percent
ages TO be separately computed In each case; the
gain OF which change would lie In the avoidance
OF errors OF computation, and the relief OF the
Auditors Office.
TO ERECT POST OFFICE BUILDINGS.
In regard TO the cost OF renting buildings for the
use OF the post-ofces OF the first and second class
throughout the country the report says that the
amount expended last year was x5Ol, 33l. so II
the Reconsideration meets approval the number OF
ohceS for which buildings are to be provided will
reach one thousand 1ve hundred and eighty nine.
the report favors the erection OF such buildings by
the Government, and suggests that the Depart
men, De prpvidsd with an architect and practical
some OF whose clerks should be skilled draughts-
men, and two OF three competent inspectors be as
signed To his aid. IL Is computed that each OF these
buildings, including the ground will cost on an
average 10000. Fifty Offices can be provided for
by the expenditure of a million dollars, and the
report states thatit would be more economical to
erect the buildings than 10 pay the rentals
Quired In regart. to the adoption OF some better
e,hoa OF adjusting the compensation OF clerks In
post,onlces, the report states that a commission
has been Investigating the subject and the results
or their laborS are transmitted.
THE CONTROL OF THE TELEGRAPH.
1t may, Mr.. Villas says, some time be required Of
the Government 10 undertake the control OF the
telegraph. but this question involves protracted
argument upon not only the question OF general
expedlency, but OF the proper means OF dealing
Justly VITA present conditions. Yet, If IL shall
happen that the difficulties Yield TO patient con-
slderatlon and the demands OF the country Tor the
best auxiliarie5 10 its business facilities IL will be
OF supreme importance to the end TO make wise
provisions for a safe and satisfactory establish
ment OF the requisite force of employees without
DANGEROUS increase OF Federal power, and steps
service must be beneficial beginning.
TO BUY POSTAL CARS.
the report suggests that instead Of appropriate
Ing s. 600 annually to rent the use OF the rail-
way cars for the transportation OF the mails "the
appropriation be OF a smaller sum- to buy them
and OF another, say 1000, for their keeping,
the two together not aggregating the proposed
rent The Department Will thereafter gain at
least 600 per year while sustaining the cost
at cannot be objected that the Department is
unable properly to assume the charge OF these
functions II might receive the CUSTODY OF ali the
cars In the Serv6e, and thencefOrward care for
them, on a months notice. With moderate addi-
for the manufacture OF all necessary cars What
ever may be done By any private hands may as
wen % done by the Department. Ownership by
the Government OF It's postal cars cannot but
much relieve the difficulties OF the compensation
problem. So far as they are concerned, their
by the payment Of Just price per mile for the
distance each car Is run, upon scale not difficult
70 arrive at fairly; 10 be accompanied with simple
OF the Government and the transporting COM
panies."
THE DEPARTMENT BUILDING,
In relation TO the Department building the re-
port says: mention has been repeatedly made OF
the necessity for its enlargement Tnree adii-
tional buildings are now rented of private parties
and neither Is eproOf. The destruction OF either
would entail much Inconvenience and probable
oss vi Iuiportant looks ana papers, but especially
the burning OF Marinfs Hall, or the building on
the corner OF sth and streets. So often has tn.
subject been pressed that nothing more is pur-
posed now than not 10 omit the duty OF recalling
attention TO its circumstances upon the Occurrences
or new opportunity"
"a Fourth Assistant Postmaster-General be-
comes with every year a more desirable addition
10 the onctal force OF the Department. The care
OF post-olhceS requires the assistance OF sucn an
0incer. should the suggestions here1nbefore made
ID favor OF poo1-olce buildings lead u Their con-
structlOn Dy The Goyernment, The duties Of such
an officer would naturally comprehend that sub
Ject, as Well as the supplies and allowances OF
p0St-OfIceS.'
INCREASES IN SALARIES ASKED.
An increase OF $500 is asked Tor in The salary OF
the superintendent OF the Department building and
discussing Clerk. An increase OF $500 Is asked in
the salary OF the chief CLERK, the chief OF post
Office Inspectors he superintendent OF the division
OF pOst-Oiiice supplies the superintendent OF rail-
way adjustments, and the cnler OF the finance
dVlSon; Oi 500 IN that OF the chief OF the salary
and allowance diyison OF $50 In that OF the chief
OF the stamp division and superint .ndent OF the
Dea i-Letter UEice; OF 500 Tor chief clerk OF the
Dea[Letter Once: OF 500 for engineer In the
additional buildings. THESE additiO would give
the chief OF Inspectors So 800 the chief clerk $1,000
and the chiefs and superintend .nts OF divisions
named 5000 each. The superintendent OF the
hllWay-Mail Service the report says ought TO he
PAID much higher salary.
THE WASHINGTON CITY POsr-OFFIcE
The post-offlce at Washington, Mr. Villas SAYS. Is
In building In sufficient for It's proper require
ments. although corviently located, and no con-
tinuing lease exists. The proprietor has demanded
higher rent which does not appear TO be reason
able. But the law forbids the Department TO rent
building In the District except in pursuance OF
special enactment, and serious Inconvenience
might result from these conditions some action
by the Congress ought not TO be delayed.
Cool GallOws Bird.
MURDERER LEWIS DAVIS LACK OF INTEREST IN HIS